What are the signs of heart disease in women?

The most important sign is feeling really tired--even if after enough sleep. Other signs of heart disease in women are:

• Trouble breathing
• Trouble sleeping
• Feeling sick to the stomach
• Feeling scared or nervous
• New or worse headaches
• An ache in the chest
• Feeling "heavy" or "tight" in the chest
• A burning feeling in the chest
• Pain in the back, between the shoulders
• Pain or tightness in the chest that spreads to the jaw, neck, shoulders, ear, or the inside of the arms
• Pain in the belly, above the belly button

There is good news: You can take steps to keep your heart healthy.

Lower Your Risk of Heart Disease

• Find out if heart disease runs in your family.
• Visit your doctor or clinic often. Find out if you are at risk.
• Don't smoke. Stay away from other people who are smoking.
• Get your blood pressure checked often. You might need medicine to keep it at the right level.
• Control your diabetes.
• Get your cholesterol checked often.
• Stay active. Walking every day can lower your chances of a heart attack.
• Eat right and keep a healthy weight.
• Eat less salt.
• If you take birth control pills, don't smoke.
• Hormones for menopause should not be used to prevent heart attacks.
• Being stressed, angry or sad a lot may add to your risk of heart attack.
• If you've had a heart attack, talk to your doctor about medicine. Some medicines can help cut down the risk of having another heart attack.